Con-man apprehended

JAKARTA (JP): Police have arrested a 46-year-old man for defrauding Rp 50 million by posing as a bomb squad officer assigned to search for bombs in commercial properties, an official said.

City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said over the weekend the suspected impostor, Rudy Hariyadi Harun, 46, was caught by accident on Monday last week at a police subprecinct in South Jakarta.

"Rudi was being interrogated by police in connection with a sexual harassment case when a bank employee recognized him," Aritonang said.

The bank employee, who was at the police station on a routine matter, was at first confused because Rudi had told his office that he was a member of the city's bomb squad.

"The banker told police that Rudi used to come to his bank carrying a letter signed by the squad commander, Lt. Col. Nurhadi, which authorized him to search the building for bombs," Aritonang said.

During interrogation, Rudi admitted to charging at least 10 building owners in South Jakarta Rp 5 million each in return for searching their premises for bombs over the past six months.

The suspect is currently being detained at city police headquarters pending further investigation. (edt)